Race the Sun | Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)
Sat 21 Jun 2025 Brecon, Powys, UK Fundraising required 50% off

Race the Sun | Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)

An incredible dawn-to-dusk triple challenge through rugged countryside for teams of 2 or 4 to bike, hike and paddle in a race against the setting sun.

  • Sat 21 Jun 2025
  • Fundraising required
  • 50% off
Brecon Leisure Centre, Brecon

Race the Sun | Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)

Exclusive 50% off automatically applied

08:00

Age 16 & over

Pairs entry fee

£49.50

Minimum sponsorship

£950.00

Team entry fee

£99.00

Minimum sponsorship

£1900.00

  • 36 miles road cycling
  • 9.6 miles hiking
  • 2 miles kayaking

Event overview

The famous triathlon-style adventure charity fundraising challenge!

Get together with friends and/or workmates to Race the Sun while enjoying the stunning views of rugged peaks and meandering streams in the globally renowned Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park to kick-start a memorable summer. 

Highlights

  • Team triple challenge

    Race the Sun through stunning countryside by bike, canoe and on foot.

  • Conquer Pen Y Fan

    Summit the highest mountain in South Wales and relish the views.

  • Teams of two or four

    Ideal for groups of friends, family and colleagues.

  • Challenge leaders

    Equipment and guidance is included so you can focus on the task.

  • Mental and physical health

    Set an achievable goal for 2025 and stay motivated with your training.

  • Top organisation

    By one of the most experienced charity events teams ever.

  • Top reviews

    Highly recommended - read the reviews here.

  • Action Medical Research

    Race for a reason and save the lives of sick babies and children.

Event video

  • Average fitness
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators
  • Teams

Who is it for?

Race the Sun serves up enough adventure to challenge those looking to lay down a fast time, as well as those who just want a fun, exhilarating day with friends and family. 

pairs
Pairs
teams of 4
Teams of 4

Bike type

Road, hybrid or e-bike.

bike

As the route is on-road, using a mountain bike is not recommended. However, if you have trained on it and are confident you can complete the course you are more than welcome to use it. 

You will provide your own bike which should be in good working order. Getting your bike serviced before the event is recommended.

On-site bike mechanics will be available at registration on Friday evening, and throughout the event to help with mechanical issues encountered on the event.

E-bikes

In the interests of fairness using an e-bike means the entire team will not be eligible for any of the ‘fastest team’ award categories.

Please ensure to carry spare batteries, or other spares specific to e-bikes, as these may not be available from the bike mechanics.

Fancy dress award

There is a Best Dressed Team Award for those who want to go the extra mile! It's about having fun and raising money for charity.

fancy dress

Itinerary

Friday

  • 18:00-21:00 | Team registration. Teams will be allocated a time to attend the event HQ to sign in, pick up race numbers, drop off transition bags and have their bikes checked over to ensure that you’re all ship shape and race ready in the morning.

Saturday

  • 07:00-08:00 | Race the Sun begins! Teams depart in waves
  • 16:00-19:00 | Party time! Grab a bevvie as you cross the line, then chill out with your teammates and supporters over a bite to eat.

Spectators

Why not make a weekend of it with friends and family?! Supporters will be able to join you at the event HQ, then track your progress live online.

  • Bag storage
  • Free parking
  • Mountains
  • Rural
  • Toilets

Event HQ

Brecon Leisure Centre
Penlan
Brecon
Powys
LD3 9SR
UK

This unforgettable charity fundraising team challenge starts and finishes Brecon, the bustling market town right at the top edge of the glorious Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.

  • First aid
  • Food stations
  • Marshals
  • Mountainous
  • Water stations

Stage 1 - Bike 36 miles

Heading out of Bannau (Brecon) the stunning 36-mile ride is split into three sections, with plenty of climbs to keep you busy!

You'll start with a 15 mile ride along the Talybont Valley to the Pontsticill reservoir, after cycling the length of the reservoir to climb to the Torpantau Railway Station, a steep but short climb that is achievable for any cyclist.

From there teams will travel to either the canoe phase or the mountain phase before a 15-mile ride back to Bannau and the finish line!

road cycling

Stage 2 - Hike 9.6 miles

After leaving your bikes with the event marshals, it's time to tackle the stunning 9.6 miles circular hike to the summit of Pen Y Fan, which at an altitude of 886m offers spectacular views of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park.

Setting off from Taf Fechan Forest, the fully signed and supported route takes in the mountain tops of Corn Du, Pen Y Fan and Cribyn, before you begin your descent back to Taf Fechan Forest and your bike.

hiking

Stage 3 - Paddle 2 miles

Lifejackets on, it's now time to take on the final stage of the challenge!

In either open-top canoes or kayaks your team will navigate a 2-mile journey around the breathtaking Pontsticill Reservoir.

All safety equipment is provided and you will be fully supported throughout, so no kayak or canoe experience is needed.

kayaking

Celebration

Upon completing the water section, it is a short walk back to the finish line to celebrate your achievements with your medal, a drink on us, and a well-deserved bite to eat!

food

Sustainability

  • Public transport links

  • Chip timing
  • GPS tracking
  • Medal
  • Post-race meal
  • Training plan
what's included
  • Safety briefing
  • Changeover stations with drinks & snacks
  • Team awards & finishers medal
  • Canoe or kayak equipment
  • Bike mechanics & first aiders
  • Marshals & signage
  • Timing tracker & GPX route files
  • BBQ & celebratory drink at the finish line
medals

Not Included

  • Bikes & helmets
  • Accommodation if required
  • Travel to and from the event
  • Personal clothing
  • Personal spending money
  • Insurance

Bikes & helmets

Road, hybrid or e-bike.

You will provide your own bike which should be in good working order. Getting your bike serviced before the event is recommended.

As the route is on-road, using a mountain bike is not recommended. However, if you have trained on it and are confident you can complete the course you are more than welcome to use it. 

On-site bike mechanics will be available at registration on Friday evening, and throughout the event to help with mechanical issues encountered on the event.

E-bikes

In the interests of fairness using an e-bike means the entire team will not be eligible for any of the ‘fastest team’ award categories.

Please ensure to carry spare batteries, or other spares specific to e-bikes, as these may not be available from the bike mechanics.

  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising required
  • Fundraising support

Sponsorship target

The training and fundraising are part of the challenge!

  • Each challenger will pay the registration fee and commit to raising the sponsorship target
  • A team of 2 people will fundraise £950
  • A team of 4 people will fundraise £1,900
  • Your team can have a joint fundraising page so it's a team effort

Action Medical Research

Race the Sun is organised by children’s charity, Action Medical Research.

Action Medical Research has been funding medical breakthroughs for 70 years.

They have helped to beat polio, fight meningitis, prevent stillbirths and develop ultrasound scanning in pregnancy, helping to save thousands of children’s lives and change many more. Today they continue to tackle the challenges disease and disability present by funding high-quality research to save and change children’s lives and are driving forward research to help protect children.

By taking part, not only will you have a great time with first-class support throughout the day, but you’ll also be helping to raise vital funds to help sick and disabled babies and children.

baby
RACE FOR A REASON
Race for children like Jack

Jack was born extremely prematurely at 25 weeks, weighing just 1lb 15oz.

He needed oxygen, help with his breathing and feeding tubes to survive. He suffered a collapsed lung and brain bleeds and contracted the potentially deadly bowel infection necrotising enterocolitis. Jack went on to endure many more serious health problems and spent four and a half months in hospital fighting to survive before he was finally allowed home. Jack's mum is so grateful for the work that Action does:

It is so important that studies like those funded by Action Medical Research are done. Without research, we wouldn’t have medical advances, and Jack probably wouldn’t be here.

  • Age 16 & over
  • 400 places
  • Entries open
  • Enter online
  • Fundraising required

16-17 year olds must be accompanied by their parent or guardian throughout the challenge.

Please note that by registering for this event you are committing to fundraising a minimum of £1900 for a four-person team and £950 for a two-person team for children's charity Action Medical Research.

Funds raised will help fund groundbreaking research that will help save and change children's and babies lives.

Entry fees

Pairs entry fee

£49.50

Minimum sponsorship

£950.00

Team entry fee

£99.00

Minimum sponsorship

£1900.00

I absolutely loved everything from start to end! The whole support team was super friendly and very helpful... The event was well organised and I can see the hard work that the team has done to make the day a success! Nardus N

Great event! Well done to everyone involved. Everything was clear from the online brief to the tracking system and onwards. Replenish stations were top drawer all the way through the Challenge. From people on the side cheering and directing you on, to the fantastic BBQ at the end! Well done all ;o) Dean W

Absolutely loved it. The organisation that went into the event was outstanding. I’m actually trying to persuade my parter in crime to do another one in a different location. Great team work and phenomenal support from all the staff Keep up the good work. Brian M

I can highly recommend getting involved with an Action event, not only for participation in a personally challenging event, but also to support a very deserved charity. I will definitely participate again in the future!

We had a fantastic weekend, and loved the novelty of doing 3 different disciplines. What took the event from being really good to being really special was the atmosphere created by the Action staff and the other participants who were all incredible!

Loved the variety in the challenge, the people we met and Brecon Beacons. All for a wonderful cause to help children. Definitely will be returning next year and encourage all to give it a go - you won’t be disappointed!!

Wow… my first ever sport event... I am so very proud of all my team, our camaraderie, & our fun memories of taking part & completing the event!! Thank you so very much for an incredible experience. Lynsey M

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck